If there is one type of journal that makes me feel ultra-organized and productive, it’s a bullet journal. These journals use lists and bullet points to plan your day or activities. They can also be used to track progress, emotions, and habits.
Over the past few years, people have become really creative with their bullet journals. You can add doodles, artwork, drawings, or quotes. There are no rules to journaling, which is part of the reason it’s such a great hobby.
While there are many different types of journals you can create, bullet journals help me most with organization and productivity. I love being able to flip to one page and see what I need to do each day. I do have a traditional paper journal, but I am convinced that my bullet journal is “the one”.
What do you need to start bullet journaling?
See the end of the article for a recommend list of journaling supplies.
- A journal, of course! – A notebook or composition book is a good place to start, but you can use anything really. If you plan on carrying your bullet journal with you throughout the day, I would recommend a small notebook or moleskine. I personally use a small 5×8 moleskin journal for my bullet journal, but it’s up to you on what you want to use.
- A way to write – I like using Pilot fountain pens, but you don’t need to get anything fancy. Heck, you can journal with crayons if you really want. But, I love experimenting with different pens and markers, as it really makes the hobby a lot more fun for me.
- An open mind – Yes, writers block is an actual thing even with journaling. Decide what your intentions are for your journal and keep your mind open.
You can also use your cellphone! There are lots of journaling apps available and they’re a great way to get started.
The key to bullet journaling is not in the tools you use, but making your own system that works for you. If you want to use a journal with pre-printed journal prompts, that’s perfectly fine! Or, you can get really creative and make your own notebook.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The best thing about bullet journaling is that there are no rules! All the ideas in this post are suggestions. You can put your own unique twist on any type of journal you decide to make.
You also don’t have to stick with a single layout. You can mix and match pages, and try out different pens and styles.
24 bullet journaling ideas for beginners
1. Make a to-do list
This is probably one of the most common bullet journaling ideas. For each day of the week, create a list of things you need to do.
2. Write a collection of quotes
Quotes are a nice way to give yourself a boost of inspiration. Create a layout dedicated to quotes, and use it when you come across one that stands out to you. You can write them in full and then underline the words that stand out to you.
3. Make a wish list
You can use your bullet journal to create a wish list of things you want and/or need. You can prioritize items and put their cost down on the layout as well.
4. Start a gratitude log
I talk about gratitude a lot because I think it’s really important for living a positive life. You can use your bullet journal to make a gratitude spread and list things you are grateful for.
5. Track your self-care habits
It’s important to practice self-care on a regular basis. Tracking your habits in a bullet journal is a good way to make sure you stay on track.
6. Make a habit tracker
Habit tracker bullet journal spreads a fun and colorful way to track your habits over a period of time. I like to track positive habits, like drinking enough water or practicing meditation.
7. Create a bucket list
A bucket list is a list of all the things you want to do. It could be a bucket list of places you want to see, books you want to read, or experiences you want to have. Tracking your progress in a bullet journal is really satisfying as you can check things off!
8. Calendar
Creating a calendar in your bullet journal is one of the easiest ways to stay organized from day to day. And, you can get really creative and colorful with it each month!
9. Keep track of your favorite recipes
There is something about recipes that makes me want to keep them all in one place for safekeeping. A food diary or recipe spread is a good way to jot down your favorite recipes so you never forget them.
10. Write down your goals
It’s important to have goals in our personal life, as well as in our social life and relationships. Tracking goals closely also allows us to see the progress we have made, and a bullet journal is the perfect place to do this.
11. Track your phone usage
It’s true, we all use our cellphones a bit too much. Tracking your phone usage in your bullet journal is a simple way to keep track of your screen time. You can also track how much time you’re looking at other screens, like televisions or computers.
12. Create a cleaning plan
Maybe I’m a bit strange in that I like to clean when I am organized about it. Does that make sense? It did in my head. Using your bullet journal to organize the way you clean your home or room makes the process a whole lot easier. And, you can easily look back and see what worked for you and what didn’t
13. Keep track of appointments
It’s way too easy to let appointments slip away from the mind. I usually have post-it notes around my desk that I end up losing anyways. Making a bullet journal spread to keep track of your appointments is a good way to make sure you don’t miss the next one!
14. Start a food log
There are many reasons to keep track of the food you’re eating. For one, it’s nice to look back and see how healthy or unhealthy your habits are. Or, if you have a day that you feel really sluggish or unwell, you can peek back at your food log to see if something you ate is to blame. I also think it’s important to track your water intake, because it’s so easy to forget to drink enough water!
15. Keep track of gifts you’re giving
The holiday season is just crazy! It’s impossible to keep things organized 100%. But, you can use a bullet journal spread to help you keep track of all the gifts you have purchased or plan to purchase. Just make sure you keep this page a secret from loved ones, of course.
16. Write a list of things to remember
So, doing a brain dump is one of my favorite ways to relax. Sometimes, our brains just get so full of things we have to remember and do. Making a list of things to remember can be as simple as writing down tasks you need to complete, to nice motivational pick-me-ups when you’re feeling down.
17. Track your moods each day
Mood trackers are a relatively common spread for bullet journals. It’s really nice to look back and see if you have patterns in your mood from day to day. You can even break it down a bit further and track your mood throughout the day.
18. Track your sleep habits
Sleep tracking is a big one for me. Next to dream journaling, I really like to keep track of my sleep quality because it’s so important to me. Bullet journaling is an easy way to do this, and you can keep the journal next to your bed and jot in it every morning to keep it simple.
19. Make a reading list
If you’re anything like me, you have a pretty extensive list of books you want to read. I like to keep track of the books on my reading list, and track the ones I have read. It’s also a nice way to make yourself feel more accomplished!
20. Track your mental health
One of the biggest benefits of journaling is that it’s great for your mental health. Tracking the things that make you depressed, anxious or angry is a good way to self-reflect and work through these things.
21. Make a TV and movie bucket list
Similar to books, I have a pretty extensive list of movies I need to watch. Journaling is an easy way to keep track of all your favorite TV shows and flicks!
The possibilities are endless when it comes to bullet journaling ideas. Whenever I need a boost of inspiration, I usually turn to Pinterest for ideas.
How to stick to bullet journaling
Bullet journaling is a habit that takes a bit of discipline and dedication. However, I think it’s a lot more fun than most habits or hobbies! If you’re new to journaling, the best thing to do is to start small. Avoid getting overwhelmed and stick to some ideas you know you will enjoy.
It’s not uncommon to feel like your system is failing. Your colorful spreads may not be as perfect as some of the ones you see online. But, that is okay, because this is YOUR journal. Like I said before, there are no rules to this hobby.
I also suggest getting some colorful pens or a journal you find inspiring. The more attractive the journal is to you, the more likely you are to stick with it.
Finally, set aside a bit of time each day to work in your journal. Even if it’s 10 minutes in the morning while you eat breakfast, having specific time set aside really helps to build the habit.
Bullet journaling supplies
If you’re new to journaling, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the different supplies. There are a ton, so where do you start?
The best thing is to pick a notebook and pen that you like and test it out. Don’t go crazy buying all sorts of supplies, because you may find some pens bleed through your paper or don’t work for you. Start small and try a few things before deciding what is best.
Here are some recommendations to help you get started!:
- Zebra Mildliner Pens: These double ended pens come in a variety of different colors. They’re great for highlighting or adding pops of color.
- Faber-Castel Pitt Artist Pens
- Staedtlers Pigment liner sketch set: Smear-free, waterproof ink that dries really fast
- Washi tape: These come in so many different colors and patterns!
- Any good pair of scissors
- Leuchtturm 1917 books or Moleskin
- If you’re looking for a subscription box for journaling supplies, check out Simply Gilded or Archer and Olive!
Bullet journaling is a ton of fun, and a really great way to stay organized and set goals. It’s completely up to you how much time you spend on it as well. You can use these ideas as inspiration to make you own system
If you would like some more information on the supplies, please let me know in the comments! I’d be happy to give my opinions and recommendations!